The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides grant support of up to €1,800 for domestic solar PV installations. Grants are available to support installations to houses built and occupied prior to 2021.
Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in 2022, the scheme has gone strength to strength. 10,000 homes received support in 2022 followed by 22,214 in 2023 and 28,000 in 2024. Last year, over 33,000 installations were supported. This demand has continued into 2026 with over 20,000 applications to the end of May, an 80% increase year on year. This high level of demand and delivery indicates that the scheme is working well and that citizens recognise the significant benefits of investing in solar PV.
The eligibility criteria for the Domestic Solar PV Scheme are based on the MSS high level design approved by Government in December 2021, with the final scheme design published in 2022. The scheme is available to houses built and occupied prior to 2021. To avoid confusion with the term built and occupied, the SEAI use the date of connection to the electricity grid via the MPRN details as the method of determining eligibility, in line with other SEAI support schemes. The current scheme built on the success of a previous pilot version of the grant scheme. As part of the transition between schemes, the eligibility criteria were changed from those houses built prior to 2011, to those built prior to 2021. This increased the number of homes eligible for grant support.
New build homes must follow Part L of the Building Regulations, which relates to the energy performance of buildings requirements. The cost of installing solar PV systems during the new build process is significantly lower than for existing homes.
Targeting the grant scheme at older homes makes the most efficient use of limited Exchequer funding for the scheme. There are no plans to change the building year requirement but grant eligibility is kept under review.
The Deputy may wish to note that new homes can obtain a zero percent VAT rate for the supply and installation of solar panels. This is a permanent change that came into effect from 1 May 2023. This measure underlines the Government’s commitment to help households save money on their energy bills.
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce was formed to?identify, assess and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households. The Taskforce is now leading the response to the energy shock, and the immediate associated energy affordability challenge. This work includes examining how to support increased uptake of home energy efficiency upgrades and continued development of the SEAI's schemes in line with commitments in the Programme for Government.
